During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes to support the growing baby. As the baby grows, the center of gravity shifts forward, which puts extra stress and discomfort on the lower back and pelvic joints. By the end of pregnancy, weight gain can cause an increased curve in the lower back (lordotic curve), which can affect the vertebral joints, sacrum, and hip joints.

The spine is the source of nerves that connect to the rest of the body. When the spine is compressed, these nerves can become irritated, leading to pain that radiates to other areas. Sciatica during pregnancy is common and can cause pain that runs from the lower back down the legs.

If there is a history of spinal alignment issues or lower back pain, pregnancy may worsen these conditions. The spine can become misaligned during pregnancy, and it may not return to its original position after childbirth. This can make activities like carrying the baby, breastfeeding, and bending down to pick things up difficult and painful..